Will's 1st Birthday Party

Welcome to my 1st Birthday Party!

It's true that he won't even remember this day, but just as we did for Tate, I wanted to make sure and have a special celebration for our 1 year old. The day included some yummy food and adorable decorations I found on Etsy.

Did someone say food? We are learning that one of Will's favorite things to do is eat. He has not found a food he doesn't like yet.

So thankful to be surrounded by so many family and friends that already love our little boy so much. Great Aunt Audy, Aunt Tisha, Cousins Mary Tish & Trip.

These two are quite a pair. I think the cousin bond is pretty mutual. I can't believe how big they both look in this picture. And it cracks be up that clearly they have the same Strzinek hair.

Our family was obviously on the guest list, and then we also included a few of the babies that were all born within a few months of Will. They have already spent time together...maybe not fully aware of each other yet. But I love looking back at Tate's 1st birthday party and seeing that the babies his age that celebrated with him then are still in his life. I hope the same for Will.

Starting with Spencer. He & Will are already destined to be roommates at ACU about 17 years from now. :)

Pretty little Addison

Adorable Brynlee, who was born just 6 weeks before Will.

And the youngest of the bunch, cutie pie, Judah.

Our entertainment of the party was parachute time and bubbles. The camera was on the wrong setting, so the pictures didn't turn out great. But you can see from Will's face, he LOVES the big parachute.

And then it was time for cake.

I try to make a point not to compare the boys too much. They are each unique individuals in their own way. Point proven completely when it came to birthday cake. Tate was not a fan of eating the cake or everyone watching him.

This little sly little pose was glimpse into how different the experience would be for the little brother.

Hmmm...what is this stuff?

Tastes pretty good.

And how fun that they're letting me just grab it with both hands and make a complete mess.

Will didn't just eat his birthday cake. He devoured it. I know I'm biased, but it may have been one of the funniest 1st birthday cake sites I've seen. Hilarious. I finally took it away as I was getting worried that he might make himself sick.

Then after a major clean-up job, it was on to presents. And of course, the tissue paper was the most fun part.

Trying out some of his new shoes with Poppy.

And we probably should have attempted a family picture at the beginning of the party rather than at the end. Both Tate & Will were very tired and stopping to pose for pictures wasn't high on their list.

But we at least got in some pics with the grandparents.

By this point, the friends had left and we had one very full, happy, and sleepy 1-year-old on our hands.

What a special day for our Baby Will. He was surrounded by family and friends who we love and who love him. What more could you ask for? Thank you everyone for making it such a special day!

Bluebonnets, Lovely Bluebonnets

If you live in Texas and have small children, it seems there is an unwritten rule that you must photograph them each Spring in the bluebonnets. In our years of parenting, we've got an every other year pattern going. There was Tate in 2007 and 2009 (seriously how did he get so big so fast?).

For the 2011 shots, we had two attempts. The first included insane winds (hence the hilarious crazy hair), so we tried again on a less windy evening with a little more success (not quite as crazy hair).

I included lots of shots...the good (I can't get enough of these blue eyes)...the bad (cries and pouts)...and the randoms (hilarious wind-blown hair, undressing, and bug on the head).

Oh how I love these boys.

From Texas' State Song (who knew?):

You're beautiful when you sway in the sunshine.

You look like waves of the sea,

Ah, Texas was wise in her choice of a flower,

So we offer our homage to thee.

Bluebonnets, lovely bluebonnets,

More beautiful than all the rest.

Texas chose you for her flower,

And we love you the best.

An Apple A Day

Tate has discovered that he likes eating apples.

Like "a big boy."

Not cut in slices.

It's the simple things in life.

Will ~ 11 Months

It is seriously causing pain every time I pull out his monthly shirt to wear. There's only one left...his 1! Soaking it in. Soaking it in.

Our sweet Will has had a fun month. We are seeing more and more of his personality and his funny quirks emerge. Love it!

• He has a funny laugh, which my sister likes to point out that it sounds like my "courtesy laugh." It does have a little Beavis & Butthead to it as well.
• A few times I've heard him try to say "woof" or "quack." He LOVES when I read animal books to him and make the animal noises. Although I'm not sure anyone else would understand, I can tell he's also trying to say bye-bye and night-night. He says Mama a lot. :) And he says "beeee" all day long. Would love to know what that means in his head.
• He is still a pretty happy guy, but he is showing us more and more when he doesn't like something. Usually that's when he has to get out of the bath and changed, put back in the car seat for 20th time on one day, or when he is exhausted. There are some serious cries and even some thrashing. Doesn't happen a lot, but watch out when it does.
• Teething = not fun for Will. He already had the two bottom teeth, and this month, a top front tooth came in. That did not make for a happy baby. And I can tell he's starting to bite on a lot more things. Like my fingers. Hoping we don't have a biter on our hands!
• He is pulling up on his own a lot more. He loves to stand up, but he hasn't figured out to move his feet from the stationary position. And when he pulls up in his crib, he hasn't figured out how to get down.
• Still not a full-blown crawler. But he has perfected his creep/twist/swimming move and can get most anywhere he wants to go. It seriously looks like he's swimming on the ground. And with this skill, he can now find the smallest speck of dirt on the ground. He seems to enjoy the challenge of getting those.
• Oh boy, Will enjoys dropping and throwing things. He does it with a completely serious face, which can be funny. Although it's not funny when the pacis are being thrown across the room.
• He got his 3rd ear infection. No talk about tubes yet, but we'll see how things go once sick season is over. We have learned that Will does NOT like taking medicine.
• Wade is forbidden from cutting his hair anymore. Will has got tons of crazy flyaways, which Wade likes to use his electric razor and trim up. We had a partial mohawk on our hands after the last time. Yikes.
• He is a cuddler. I LOVE it! He will nuzzle his little head on your shoulder and make some funny noises. So cute.

Enjoying this last month so much before the big 1. How is that possible?

35...Really???

Guess I'm going to have to change the name of this 'ol blog at some point.

It floors me that it's been over 6 years since the first post. And it all started with my impeding 30th birthday. I couldn't believe I was about to turn 30 back then. And now, I can't believe that I just turned 35. We're starting to round up to 40.

As I say with most birthdays, I'm not walking around all Debbie Downer because I feel old. I'm walking around wondering how in the world I'm 35. That used to sound and seem so OLD. But I don't feel old. Surely I don't seem old. Right? :) I guess this paradox will continue for many more years.

Year 35 started off great. I woke up on my birthday morning to these lovelies picked out by my 3 guys.

And later that evening (following a fun birthday trip to the pediatrician), Wade & I headed out on a birthday Date Night. Last minute, I asked our babysitter to take a picture of us outside*** because we rarely get pictures of just the two of us.

And the evening included one of my all-time favorite meals...Spiedino Di Mare. Yum!

And right at this moment, I'm enjoying one of my birthday presents from Wade. A house to myself. Yes, that sounds pretty wrong asking for everyone to leave me alone for my birthday. But after way too many overwhelmed moments of me complaining I could never get anything done (*** like change out the winter wreath maybe?), Wade decided to take off with the boys to give me 24 hours at the house. By myself.

Quiet + No interruptions + Productivity = Pure 35-year-old bliss.